CVE-2018-5523 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2018-5523 affecting F5 BIG-IP & Enterprise Manager. Authenticated users can bypass command restrictions, potentially leading to privilege escalation. Find mitigation steps here.
A vulnerability in F5 BIG-IP and Enterprise Manager allows authenticated users to bypass command restrictions, potentially leading to privilege escalation.
Understanding CVE-2018-5523
This CVE involves the bypassing of command restrictions by authenticated administrative users in the Traffic Management User Interface (TMUI) on F5 BIG-IP versions 13.1.0-13.1.0.3, 13.0.0, 12.1.0-12.1.3.1, 11.6.1-11.6.3.1, 11.5.1-11.5.5, 11.2.1, and Enterprise Manager version 3.1.1.
What is CVE-2018-5523?
The vulnerability allows authenticated users to run commands in TMUI, bypassing restrictions on allowed commands, potentially leading to privilege escalation.
The Impact of CVE-2018-5523
- Authenticated users can execute unauthorized commands, compromising system integrity.
- Potential privilege escalation may lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-5523
The following technical details outline the specifics of CVE-2018-5523:
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises when authenticated administrative users run commands in TMUI, bypassing command restrictions.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Products: BIG-IP (LTM, AAM, AFM, Analytics, APM, ASM, DNS, Edge Gateway, FPS, GTM, Link Controller, PEM, WebAccelerator), Enterprise Manager
- Affected Versions: 13.1.0-13.1.0.3, 13.0.0, 12.1.0-12.1.3.1, 11.6.1-11.6.3.1, 11.5.1-11.5.5, 11.2.1, 3.1.1
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability is exploited by authenticated administrative users running commands in TMUI, circumventing command restrictions.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2018-5523, consider the following mitigation strategies:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor-provided patches and updates promptly.
- Monitor system logs for any unusual activities.
- Restrict access to administrative interfaces to authorized personnel only.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly review and update access control policies.
- Conduct security training for system administrators on best practices.
Patching and Updates
- Install the latest patches and updates from F5 Networks to address the vulnerability.